ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY

Find the best approach for fast relief from your neck pain.

WHAT IS ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY?

An anterior or posterior cervical discectomy are surgeries to remove damaged or injured discs from the spine in the neck. For an anterior procedure the surgeon will approach from the front of the neck (the throat), whereas in a posterior procedure the approach will be from the back of the neck. A posterior cervical discectomy is often performed when a herniated disc has fragmented into small pieces near the spinal nerve. Usually a discectomy is combined with a fusion of the two vertebrae that are separated by the disc. In some cases, this procedure is done without a fusion.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY:

Anterior – surgeon approaches from the front of the neck or the throat

COMMON CONDITIONS TREATED BY ANTERIOR OR POSTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY:

[Since my bulging disc correction] I haven't had pain in my leg at all and had only a little pain in my back from my surgery, but zero pain in my legs, the sciatica is gone.

Edward, age 55, bulging disc injury

Today my back and hip feel tremendous. My legs are still a bit weak, possibly from nerve damage that occurred prior to surgery. I’m going to physical therapy 3 times per week. I was back at work on November 15th, 3 weeks after surgery.

Robert, age 58,
history of disc herniation and previous surgeries

Nobody likes to be injured and neck surgery is a delicate procedure, but Dr. Massoud explained what needed to be done, which made me feel more comfortable. [Post-surgery] I felt great, and today the pain is completely gone.